Sunday, November 8, 2015

A Parent's Obligation of Hinuch on Shabbat

It is the responsibility of every Jewish parent to train their children in the ways of the Torah and Mitzvot. This obligation rests primarily on the father if he is able. Therefore a Jewish parent may not allow his children to eat non kosher food or to do melacha on Shabbat even if the children have not yet reached the age of hinuch. Rabbinic prohibitions are also included in this obligation, not just De'oraita ones. This includes instructing a child to carry in a place that is Rabbinically prohibited or to turn on a light or any other melacha that may arise. The only exception is allowing a child to eat muktzeh food such as fruits that fell off a tree on Shabbat.

DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org